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Report: Aston Martin Cygnet could come to the States

On September 1, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Aston Martin Cygnet – Click above for high-res image gallery

We aren’t quite sure why the Aston Martin Cygnet exists. What was once an economical Toyota iQ is now a fuel-sipping Aston Martin (weird) with a lavish interior and a price tag that will make your heart skip a beat. We understand that vehicles like this work well in the congested, small-car-friendly cities of Europe, but it remains to be seen if microcars have a place here in the United States. The Smart ForTwo has proved to be a flop in the States, though we’ll chalk most of that up to its unimpressive fuel economy and downright awful driving dynamics.

The U.S. is set to get a Scion-badged version of the Toyota iQ in early 2011, but a report from Automotive News states that Aston Martin could import its angry-looking Cygnet counterpart to our shores as early as 2012. It would share the same 1.3-liter gasoline powerplant as the Scion, though an electric-only version with a 60-mile range could arrive in 2013.

We’ll wait until Aston Martin gives us the official word before we start jumping to any conclusions, but consider our outlook on a U.S.-spec Cygnet similar to that of a half-empty glass.

Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Aston Martin Cygnet could come to the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston cygnet • Aston Martin • aston martin cygnet • AstonCygnet • AstonMartin • AstonMartinCygnet • cygnet

Aston Martin design director gets custom Vantage GT4

On August 11, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, UK, Racing

Marek Reichman’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

And he’s going racing with it. Marek Reichman, the design director for Aston Martin, will be hopping into the saddle of a Vantage GT4 for his first shot at the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain. Reichman has gone fender to fender before, though he typically keeps to vintage club racing. This will be the first time he’s stepped up to the 90-minute big boy leagues of his company’s one-make series. Reichman won’t be doing it alone, though. Chris Porritt, the engineering manager for Aston Martin, will be sharing driving duties.

Porritt has helmed the mighty Vantage GT4 in the past, though most of his experience has been at the Nürburgring. We’re thinking that if he can keep the car shiny side up around Green Hell, he should have no problem going toe to toe with the rest of the field. That doesn’t mean that the competition is going to be a cakewalk for the team – so far this season, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge has proven to be full of more than capable racers. The series is slated to kick off at Oulton Park on Saturday, August 21. Hit the jump for a peek at the press release.

Gallery: Aston Martin Design Director’s Vantage GT4

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin design director gets custom Vantage GT4

Aston Martin design director gets custom Vantage GT4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: Aston Martin • Aston Martin GT4 Challenge • Aston Martin Vantage GT4 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinGt4Challenge • AstonMartinVantageGt4 • Chris Porritt • ChrisPorritt • gt4 • Marek Reichman • MarekReichman • Vantage • Vantage GT4 • VantageGt4

Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood

On July 8, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Aston Martin, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

Britain has produced more than its fair share of memorable classics, but arguably few as seductive as the classic Aston Martins of the 1960s. Introduced in 1963, the DB5 benefited from several generations of DB4 development, largely retaining the Touring bodywork but replacing the old 3.6-liter engine with a new 4.0-liter unit and several other advancements.

Over two years of production, over a thousand DB5s were built, the vast majority of coupes outselling the 12 Radford coachbuilt shooting brakes and the 23 convertibles. Of those few roadsters, only nine were outfitted with the more powerful Vantage engine, and one of them has just sold for a record £551,500 ($833k) at the Bonhams auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The example in question, with original “VDB 5″ license plates, had three previous owners who saw it through two comprehensive restorations (one at the Aston Martin Works Service in 1992 and another at Aston Service Hamburg in 2004), and was displayed last year at Villa d’Este.

Along with the DB5 Vantage Convertible (the Volante name only coming into use on the subsequent DB6), Bonhams also auctioned off the 1937 Bentley featured in the Bond film “Never Say Never Again” for £221,500 ($335k), a rare Lister-Jaguar for £232,500 ($351k) and several more, totaling £3,707,687 ($5.6m) in sales. Details in the press release after the jump, with photos of the beautiful Aston in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood

Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible • 1965AstonMartinDb5VantageConvertible • aston • aston db5 • Aston Martin • aston martin db5 • Aston Martin DB5 Vantage • Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible • AstonDb5 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDb5 • AstonMartinDb5Vantage • AstonMartinDb5VantageConvertible • Bonhams • db5 • goodwood • goodwood festival of speed • GoodwoodFestivalOfSpeed

Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage

On July 6, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, UK

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 – Click above for high-res image gallery

You remember the Vantage N400? Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches. Unfortunately, Aston only produced 240 examples of the ‘N’, all of which have long since sold out. But now it’s back. With a vengeance.

Whereas the previous N400 upgraded the stock 380 horsepower to 400, the new N420 – based on the current, post-2008 updated Vantage – carries over the stock 420-horse mill. Suspension upgrades come courtesy of the otherwise optional Sports Pack, here fitted as standard equipment, along with a special exhaust unique to the N420. A new front splitter, side skirts and diffuser are made of carbon fiber, unique wheels are fitted along with black mesh grille inserts, and 27 kilograms (60 pounds) have been trimmed from the curb weight. Upgrades have also been carried out to the interior, and buyers can choose from a range of “race collection” paint schemes.

Like its predecessor, the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 will be sold in coupe or roadster format and available with either six-speed manual or Sportshift semi-automatic transmissions. Deliveries will begin next month in the UK, the £96,995 price tag (that’s over $147,000 USD but includes the UK’s hefty Value Added Tax) represents a £13,804 ($21k) premium over the base model, which sells in the UK for £83,191 (equivalent to $126k at today’s exchange rates) and in the United States for $119,500. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage

Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Aston Martin One-77 spotted on the ‘Ring for the first time, wears new color for the occasion

On July 2, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin One-77 at the Nurburgring – Click above for high-res image gallery

Yeah, yeah. We know the Aston Martin One-77 has already shown its hips to the world, but our crack team of spy photographers have managed to lay their lenses on one of the super-exclusive Astons bumping around the Nurburgring. Even better, the megacar is dipped in a new color that we’ve yet to see. The deep metallic bronze paint is drop dead gorgeous, even on what appears to be nothing more than a pre-production engineering mule.

The One-77 is built to be an exercise in what Aston Martin can accomplish when cost and exclusivity are no barrier. With a 7.3-liter V12 under the hood producing a proletariat-crushing 700 horsepower, the coupe exists in a world detached from reality. That’s just fine, though, because Aston Martin is only building 77 of the cars, and with each coming in at a staggering $1.8 million, the people who can afford it aren’t of this world anyway.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 at the Nurburgring

Spy Shots: Aston Martin One-77 spotted on the ‘Ring for the first time, wears new color for the occasion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: Aston Martin • Aston Martin One-77 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinOne-77 • One-77

Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9

On June 28, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

2011 Aston Martin DB9 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite the fact that few people would actually argue that the Aston Martin DB9 really needed a nip and tuck, that’s exactly what it’s getting for 2011. Given how well the DB9 has held up over the last seven years, the changes have been kept pretty discreet. The lower front grille has been reshaped and new mesh inserts have been added, while the rocker panel crease now sweeps up into the rear wheel arches.

Mechanically, the DB9’s 6.0-liter V12 powertrain has been carried over, as has its 470 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The most significant upgrade for 2011 is the adoption of an adaptive damping system similar to the one already available on the DBS and Rapide. Thanks to the improved handling offered by the damping system, Aston has decided to drop the Sport Pack previously available on the DB9. Production of the upgraded models has already started and customers should be getting the new cars in the coming weeks.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin DB9

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9

Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Aston Martin DBS gets a nip, a tuck and new headlamps

On June 21, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Design/Style, Luxury

2011 Aston Martin DBS spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our spy photographers have been busy little bees lately. The crew recently managed to set their lenses on what appears to be the next Aston Martin DBS, complete with a pretty new face. From what we can tell, the company has refreshed the V12 heathen with all-new body work from the A pillars forward. The car now wears a revised fascia with thinner headlamps, and the hood appears to have a few new wrinkles as well. We’re having a hard time telling if the front fenders have been significantly massaged or not, but chances are they’ve been modified somewhat to mate with those new LED-bespeckled lights.

From the rear, its clear Aston Martin has equipped the car with a redesigned diffuser, and the taillights have been redrawn as well. So, will the company supply buyers with any extra power to accompany the new suit of clothes on the DBS? It’s possible, but not likely. Odds are the car will still pack the same burly 6.0-liter V12 with 510 horsepower. Which still sounds pretty good to us.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Aston Martin DBS

Spy Shots: Aston Martin DBS gets a nip, a tuck and new headlamps originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 2011 • 2011 Aston Martin • 2011 Aston Martin DBS • 2011AstonMartin • 2011AstonMartinDbs • Aston Martin • aston martin dbs • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDbs • DBS • DBS Spy Shots • DbsSpyShots • spy photos • spy shots • SpyPhotos • SpyShots

EDO Competition converts five-year-old Aston Martin DB9 into DBS

On June 19, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Edo Competition Aston Martin DB9/DBS – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’d think that someone who can afford to have their Aston Martin DB9 transformed into a DBS could probably afford to simply buy a new DBS. We can’t really speak to the motivations of one Russian DB9 owner, but Edo Competition wasn’t about to argue with a paying customer.

After the five-year old DB9 was brought to Edo for conversion, the tuner replaced the original metal body panels with the carbon fiber parts used on Aston’s flagship DB. In addition to the external appearance, the interior of the car has been customized with a mix of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and metal.

The DB9’s 5.9-liter V12 has also been upgraded from 470 horsepower to 550 hp, taking it beyond the 510 hp output of the factory-built DBS. A car that goes faster needs to be able to stop as well, so the binders have been enlarged, though Edo oddly stuck with steel brakes instead of upgrading them to carbon. No cost has been disclosed for the conversion, but we can’t help but wonder whether the net expenditure was greater than the cost of a new car minus the trade-in.

Gallery: Edo Competition Aston Martin DB9/DBS

[Source: Edo Competition]

EDO Competition converts five-year-old Aston Martin DB9 into DBS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Aston Martin to debut revised DB9, Vantage in 2013/14

On June 11, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin

Following the introduction of the Rapide and One-77, and with the miniaturized Cygnet on its way, Aston Martin is turning its attention to its two core model lines. But rather than replace the existing DB9 and Vantage with all-new, ground-up redesigns, word from the UK is that Gaydon is planning thorough revisions of the existing models, including to their chassis and engines.

Both the DB9 and the Vantage are based on Aston’s flexible VH platform, which will reportedly carry on for another generation. However Aston’s aiming to cut weight by around 10 percent. Although the VH is made of aluminum, the vehicles based on the platform are heavier than they should be. A comprehensive re-engineering of the platform components, as well as the possible use of lightweight composite body panels, should help Aston trim the weight off the next-gen mode – expected to arrive around 2013/14 – thereby helping the company reach EU emissions targets.

The current DB9’s V12 engine is also expected to carry on for another generation, although significant revisions are expected there as well. Technologies developed for the brand’s racing program will be brought to bear for the road car, although it remains to be seen whether the potential benefits of incorporating direct injection will outweigh the costs involved.

Stylistically, both the DB9 and Vantage are expected to take their cues from the One-77, with a low, wide grille and strong character line running from the signature front-fender vent to the rear, albeit somewhat toned down for the volume models.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Aston Martin to debut revised DB9, Vantage in 2013/14 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reunion for four of Bond’s Astons planned at Stoke Park Club

On June 9, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Four of Agent 007’s Aston Martins

Before the original Aston Martin DB5 Bond-mobile goes on the auction block this Fall, it and three other Astons from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s will get together for a party in the UK. The DBS, Vanquish, and V8 Vantage Volante from Quantum of Solace, Die Another Day and The Living Daylights will be on hand for the Midsummer Classic at the Stoke Park Club.

The Stoke Park Club is hardly new to Agent 007, having been a setting in at least two Bond flicks among other lesser known films. The absence of the original DBS from 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the V8 Vantage coupe from The Living Daylights means this isn’t quite a complete set, but it’s close enough. Now we just need to bring together the Lotus Esprits and assorted BMWs from the middle years of Bond for a more complete retrospective.

Gallery: James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5